The Lamar County Humane Association announced Monday the shelter has been infected with Distemper and cannot accept animals while the they work to control the outbreak and deep clean the premises.
Canine distemper is a highly contagious, systemic, viral disease of dogs seen worldwide.
“According to our veterinarian, the only way to regain control of the outbreak is to close the shelter for at least two weeks, vaccine all animals in the shelter and euthanize any who show signs and symptoms of the disease,” said Services Supervisor Captain Bill with the Paris Police Department.
Distemper is an easily spread canine illness, especially for animals in a confined environment.
“What is presumed is that even though LCHA is vaccinating the animals upon entry to the shelter, they are becoming infected before the immunization can take effect,” said Bull.
Effective immediately, the shelter is not accepting any until Sept. 12.
“The shelter will perform a ‘deep clean’ and continue to take steps to control the outbreak. This will make it inconvenient for the citizens of Lamar County but we simply must control the disease.”
